The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be hosting a backyard garden competition to help to enhance the network of small farmers within the Territory.

The initiative will be hosted under the theme “Garden to Plate - Feed Yourself, Feed your Community” and will seek to encourage produce exchange and community involvement in food gardening.

The aim of the competition is to encourage outdoor activity, household nutrition and foster food security while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. 

Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, while extending an invitation to all backyard gardeners to register and participate in the competition, stated that maintaining a backyard garden is a fun and healthy way of feeding oneself.

“A well-planned garden can provide healthy, nutrient-rich food for your family.  We have many avid backyard gardeners in our Territory, and we hope that this competition will help to inspire others to take up food gardening as a serious hobby,” Honourable Wheatley said.

Gardeners who enter the competition will be encouraged to submit regular photographs of their gardens as they progress to be displayed on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Facebook page and for a chance to win the “Best Garden Photo”.  Prizes will also be awarded for Best Backyard Garden (in the ground), Best Container Garden and Best Youth Garden.

Registration begins on April 16 and will end May 1. The competition will run for six months.  Winners will be announced on World Food Day on October 16.

Please visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Facebook page @GOVIDOAF for more information and to register for the competition. Persons can also text or WhatsApp 468-9713 to get the link for the registration form.